The viral sensation known as Hawk Tuah Girl is attempting to resurrect her fading internet fame by launching a Twitch streaming career, following the collapse of her podcast in the wake of a controversial cryptocurrency scandal.
However, Haliey Welch’s latest venture appears to be struggling significantly, with recent streams attracting as few as nine viewers.
The 23-year-old influencer, who gained sudden fame from a viral street interview, has seen her online presence dramatically diminish since her involvement in promoting what many have labeled a crypto “pump and dump” scheme. Her YouTube channel has become what observers describe as a “barren wasteland,” with most of her current activity relegated to Instagram, where she continues to face backlash over the “hot coin scam.”
In a recent podcast appearance, she announced her plans to begin streaming on Twitch, though she admitted to having virtually no knowledge about the platform or how streaming actually works.
When asked about Twitch, she struggled to explain the basics, saying she only knows how to play Grand Theft Auto and The Sims. Welch said: ” See, I’m trying to think about this. I know how to play Grand Theft Auto. And let’s see. Um, Sims. I like the Sims. And then I like Mario Kart. See, I don’t… I’m so uneducated. I don’t know anything. Like I’ve never been one to like just want to go and play video games on a computer. But now I’m like, you know what?”
More troubling, when questioned about monetization, she responded with uncertainty, relying on podcast hosts to explain that streamers make money through viewer donations.
This pattern of diving into ventures without proper research mirrors the exact issue that destroyed her reputation with the cryptocurrency promotion. She has repeatedly defended herself by claiming ignorance, comparing her role to that of a celebrity spokesperson who doesn’t understand the product they’re endorsing. However, she has never disclosed how much money she personally made from promoting the coin.
During her streaming attempts, viewers have witnessed her playing games with minimal engagement, empty chat rooms aside from a handful of devoted fans, and little entertainment value. The stark contrast between her current viewership and her previous fame highlights just how dramatically her star has fallen.
Critics point out that someone who was “handed a life of luxury on a silver platter” has managed to squander the opportunity through what appears to be willful laziness and a refusal to educate herself about the business deals she enters. Before her viral fame, she was making approximately $400 per week working in a factory—a job she quit without hesitation once opportunities started rolling in.
The influencer has hinted at a documentary in the works, though details remain vague and the project has been mentioned for months without materialization. Industry observers suggest this may be an attempt to maintain relevance rather than a concrete plan. Meanwhile, she has resorted to paywalling photos of herself for $40 each, seemingly capitalizing on whatever goodwill remains among her diminishing fanbase.
As her 15 minutes of fame continue to expire, the Hawk Tuah Girl’s streaming career appears to be the latest example of someone unprepared for the responsibilities and knowledge required to sustain internet celebrity.